Sexual Response Prestudy

Question 1

How do androgens affect desire in males?

Answer 1

Frequency of sexual thoughts rises and falls in tandem with testosterone levels. Note that overall serum level is more important than specific changes in response to sexual stimulus

Question 2

What other transmitters increase the desire for sexual activity?

Answer 2

Dopamine and nor. Current studies suggest that dopamine release is more involved in the role of stimulating desire, rather than pleasure itself

Question 3

What transmitters decrease the desire for sexual activity?

Answer 3

Prolactin and serotonin tend to inhibit sexual drive

Question 4

How is the brain affected by sexual stimulus?

Answer 4

Parts of the brain that manage intense emotions (amygdala and insular cortex) and maintain awareness of what the body is experiencing (anterior insula) may be activated when a person is exposed to a sexual stimulus

Question 5

What are the main body responses to female arousal?

Answer 5

vasocongestion and lubrication

Question 6

What is vasocongestion?

Answer 6

Increased blood flow to the genital area. The genitals become more sensitive/erogenous

Question 7

What are the effects of vasocongestion?

Answer 7

Blood flow increases to the vulva, including the labia minora, which may change color to deep pink or burgundy. In most women the clitoris becomes erect and retracted against the pubic bone. When the entire clitoral sturcture is engorged, it pushes out on the vestibule, which opens the labia majora.

The uterus also dilates with blood. As the inner part of the vagina expands, the uterus is elevated and pulled forward

Question 8

What is the primary source for genital vasocongestion?

Answer 8

pudendal artery

Question 9

What does lubrication arise from?

Answer 9

A process called transudation that happens within the walls of the vagina, in which:

Vaginal tissue becomes engorged with blood upon arousal, and the water content of the plasma is forced through the wall. This liquid permeates the membranes as small droplets, which join one another forming a smooth coating of the vaginal walls. This lubrication is clear, slick, and non-oily

Question 10

What causes transudation?

Answer 10

estrogen

Question 11

What is the source of ‘pre-cum’?

Answer 11

Cowper’s glands- this lubricant neutralizes the acidity found along the urethra

Question 12

What happens to the testicles during sexual excitation?

Answer 12

The testicles become engorged with blood and increase in size while the tunica dartos thickens and contracts, drawing the testicles closer to the torso in preparation of ejaculation

Question 13

___% of women will orgasm from vaginal penetration

Answer 13

30

Question 14

How long do women take to orgasm on average?

Answer 14

7-10 minutes longer than men

Question 15

What neurotransmitters promote orgasm?

Answer 15

Dopaminergic and adrenergic transmission is prosexual and orgasm-provoking, while serotonergic transmission is inhibitory

Question 16

Following orgasm, there is increase in the hormones ____ and____

Answer 16

prolactin and oxytocin. prolactin may have inhibitory effects on sexual behavior, wherease oxytocin release likely reinforces bonding with a sexual partner

Question 17

What are the phases of male ejaculation?

Answer 17

Emission, followed by expulsion

Question 18

What is the emission phase?

Answer 18

A series of contractions in the vas deferens and prostate gland force sperm and ejaculatory fluid into the prostatic urethra. At the same time, external and internal urethral sphincters contract, keep ejaculate inside the prostate. Once the emission phase occurs, ejaculation will always occur

Question 19

What is the expulsion phase?

Answer 19

External urethral sphincter relaxes, opening up for ejaculation. At the same time, the urethra, prostate gland, and penis muscles go into involuntary, rhythmic contractions spaced 0.8 sec apart